London – 25 January, 2007 — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announced today the 12 finalists for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2007. Tourism businesses and initiatives from all over the world were encouraged to apply for these prestigious Awards, which represent the highest accolade for best practice in Travel & Tourism development.

An international committee of experts selected the 12 finalists from over 130 applications from more than 40 countries representing Travel & Tourism on all seven continents. Costas Christ, Judging Chairman of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and an internationally recognized expert in sustainable tourism said: “With rigorous evaluation standards and detailed criteria, the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards have become the “Oscars” of Travel & Tourism industry. Today that means not only providing an outstanding tourism product but doing so in a way that helps to protect the cultural and natural heritage of our planet. The finalist selection committee judges were particularly inspired to see an increasing number of enterprises this year that are demonstrating environmentally and socially responsible tourism from large-scale ski resorts to small ecolodges”.

Winners will receive their prestigious Award during a special ceremony at the Gala Dinner of the 7th Global Travel & Tourism Summit on 11 May, 2007 in Lisbon Portugal. The selection of finalists and winners is in-depth and unique as Mandip Singh Soin FRGS, Founder & Managing Director of Ibex Expeditions, India explains: “Ever since I have been judging these awards, I am delighted to see the quality of the projects improve consistently. The unique feature of a site visit of the finalists to verify the on-ground situation makes it a well thought out Award. I am sure these role models in sustainable and responsible tourism actions will do our tourism industry proud so we can all hold our heads high and do our bit to make the world a better place.”

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President of WTTC said: “With a forecasted growth of 10% of world GDP over the next 10 years and a total employment of amore than 230 million jobs worldwide, Travel & Tourism has huge economic effects even on communities in remote areas. Therefore, we are encouraged about the growing number of participants in the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and the commitment shown by enterprises across the world to responsible tourism development. Providing sustainable livelihood is a long-term goal and we are delighted to honour the world’s leading examples of where this goal is actually being pursued.”

The Awards are sponsored by several WTTC Members and other organizations, including British Airways, Espirito Santo Tourism, Opodo, Reed Travel Exhibitions, TAP Air Portugal, as well as by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Adventure Travel Expo. Media sponsors include 4Hoteliers, BBC World, E-Turbo News, The Daily Telegraph, National Geographic Adventure, Newsweek, Simon & Baker Travel Review, Travelmole, Travel Weekly and WOW Travel.

This world renowned destination has demonstrated successful linkages between nature preservation and the tourism industry through sustainable destination management. The project is constantly evolving through its beneficial partnerships. The successful efforts made by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to includes a multi-stakeholder approach to preserve this unique natural treasure represents an important benchmark for other large-scale protected area tourism destinations. The High Standard Tourism Programme showcases the successful implementation of sustainable management practices by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. For more information please visit www.gbrmpa.gov.au

Greenbox Trading As Responsible Tourism, Ireland

Greenbox comprises numerous counties in Ireland under one sustainable tourism destination management project. Their unique approach with a strong focus on public-private partnership has inspired other tourism destinations in Ireland to engage in sustainable tourism practices. In addition to Greenbox’s ecotourism programme for educating tourists, locals and policy stakeholders, Greenbox also actively supports cultural heritage preservation within the framework for successful destination stewardship. For more information please visit www.greenbox.ie

The State of Vermont, USA

The State of Vermont has successfully demonstrated how revitalization of rural towns and cities linked with tourism can secure maximum economic, social and environmental benefits and minimum negative impacts on a destination. The project includes unique features such as the Vermont Forum on Sprawl to maintain the sense of place and traditional character of a destination. Cultural preservation through refurbishment of historic places as well as nature conservation goes hand in hand in the State of Vermont’s approach to destination management. For more information please visit www.vermontvacation.com

At a time when the global shark population is in dramatic decline due to unsustainable practices such “shark finning” by commercial vessels and in a country where shark fishing remains popular, Aqua-Trek’s Fiji Shark Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Programme has been successful in educating both tourists and the local Fijian people on the benefits of protecting the shark population. This successful initiative to preserve the Fiji shark population through sustainable tourism practices has resulted in increased shark populations on the reef and demonstrates best practice in collaboration between local communities and an international dive operator in the conservation of a threatened marine species. For more information please visit www.aquatrek.com

Aspen Skiing Company, USA

Aspen Skiing Company host 1.3 million skiers annually while at the same time demonstrating a rare example of large scale tourism that operates on a sound environmental management plan. With 100 percent of its electricity use coming from renewable energy through the largest purchase of renewable energy certificates in the ski industry, Aspen has taken a major stand on global warming while educating its employees, guests and media on the urgent need to address climate change. Through bio diesel, micro-hydro, wind power and its Environmental Foundation, among other initiatives, Aspen Skiing Company continues to set benchmarks for large scale environmentally sensitive tourism. For more information please visit www.aspensnowmass.com

Caiman Ecological Refuge, Brazil

This pioneer conservation-tourism initiative consists of an ecolodge and a sustainably-operated cattle ranch working together in an effort to promote protection and sustainable use of the Pantanal wetland of Brazil – a high biodiversity area on our planet. The creation of the Caiman Ecological Refuge as part of the project and the education of local land owners and tourists to the importance of conserving the Pantanal’s natural heritage is the cornerstone of this project, which has helped bring world wide attention to the Pantanal as a conservation priority. For more information please www.caiman.com.br

Investor in IN People Award

10 Knots Development Corporation / El Nido Resorts, Philippines

At El Nido Resorts corporate citizenship, environmental responsibility and commitment to local people finds itself expressed in every aspect of the 10 Knots Development Corporation. Their comprehensive approach to fair wages, capacity building and staff education showcases true investment in people. 10 Knots Development Corporation not only complies with the principles of triple-bottom-line sustainable management; environment, culture and economic benefits, but also helps promote sustainable tourism practices on the Philippine island of Palawan. For more information please visit www.elnidoresorts.com

Nihiwatu Resort, Indonesia

At the heart of this remote lodge on Sumba Island in Indonesia is a deep commitment to fighting poverty and protecting cultural heritage through partnerships with local communities while delivering an outstanding guest experience. The Sumba Foundation, founded by Nihiwatu, has been a powerful vehicle for generating self-improvement projects, including safe drinking water, malaria eradication and primary school education for local villagers. For more information please visit www.nihiwatu.com

Sunderbans Jungle Camp, India

Despite bureaucratic and other organizational challenges, the small Sunderbans Jungle Camp manages to operate a sustainable tourism best practice model in one of the most remote impoverished regions of India – the Ganges river delta. Sunderbans Jungle Camp is providing a light at the end of the tunnel with its promotion of sustainable tourism as an alternative to a subsistance livelihood among local people which has contributed to environmental degredation and poverty. Their sustainable tourism approach is helping to provide a successful, alternative economic and social benefit model to local people.
For more information please email to helptourismkolkata@gmail.com

Global Tourism Business Award

Lindblad Expeditions, USA and Global

As cruise ship tour operator, Lindblad Expeditions is a global role model for environmental stewardship and responsibility. Their approach to cruise ship tourism features many unique best practise examples, such as their local food sourcing and the re-use and recycling programme. Both guests and staff are continuously educated about the benefits of responsible travel. Through environmental conservation initiatives and numerous partnerships and multi-stakeholder involvement, Lindblad Expeditions continues to play a leading role in stetting the sustainable tourism benchmark for cruise ships in fragile nature destinations around the world and most notably, in the Galapagos islands.
For more information please visit www.expeditions.com

Six Senses Resorts & Spas, Thailand and Global

The Six Senses Social and Environmental Conscience initiative in sustainable tourism, including their Environmental Management Programme, Social and Environmental Responsibility Fund and Corporate Partnership Programme has lead to environmentally sound property management as well as community involvement and benefits. Guests and staff are encouraged to learn from each other through cultural exchange and environmental awareness, which includes resorts and spas built according to sustainable design principles and reflecting local cultural heritage, heath and wellbeing.
For more information please visit www.sixsenses.com

Wilderness Safaris, South Africa

This South African based lodge company with 52 properties in seven countries distinguishes itself by investing back into the areas visited through conservation, community partnerships and social benefit projects. Not only do they showcase remarkable conservation achievements in terms of establishing new protected areas but also through environmentally sound practices such as waste water treatment, garbage disposal and energy use management systems. Of equal measure are their community partnerships that have resulted in tangible economic and social benefits to local peoples in remote areas of Africa. This is all done while providing guests with outstanding service.
For more information please visit www.wilderness-safaris.com

About Tourism for Tomorrow

The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, now in their third year under the auspices of WTTC reward best practice in responsible tourism development across the world. This highest accolade in the Travel & Tourism industry is handed out annually in four different categories to those that truly showcase benchmarks and inspire others to follow suit.

About the World Travel & Tourism Council

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global business leaders’ forum for Travel & Tourism. Its members are Chairmen, Chief Executives and Presidents of the world’s most prominent Travel & Tourism organizations. It is the only body representing the private sector in all parts of the Travel & Tourism industry worldwide. For more information please visit www.wttc.org and contact Louise Oram, PR & Communications Co-ordinator on +44 (0) 20 7481 8007 or louise@wttc.org

Boca Raton, FL – HispanicMPR.com, an online forum and podcast for the exchange of information and ideas on Hispanic marketing and public relations, released two new downloadable audio recordings, “Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Media” by David Henry and “Hispanic Market Translation Issues” by Martha E. Galindo. The downloadable recordings feature presentations by Latino market researchers and experts. The recordings are available in downloadable MP3 and CD formats, and are priced at $109.95 for the downloadable MP3 files and $129.95 on CD. Details on the recording are available online at http://www.hispanicmpr.com/resources/hmpr-products

Henry is president and founder of TeleNoticias, a broadcast public relations company that targets the U.S. Hispanic market. He has nearly 15 years of experience providing broadcast strategy and counsel to a diverse client base. Henry holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Maryland. Galindo, president and CEO of Galindo Publicidad Inc., is a native of Mexico with more than 20 years of experience. She holds a Masters in Communications from Michigan State University and has experience in marketing communications, organizational development and international customer service with companies in the United States, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.

Started as a weblog for the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book (Poyeen Publishing, $49.95), HispanicMPR.com provides a forum for readers and authors of the book, website subscribers and visitors to connect, discover the latest Hispanic market news and updates and listen to expert interviews and presentations in an audio podcast. Visitors may sign up for daily email updates, search the website for Hispanic market information; and listen to podcasts on the podcast announcement page, the website’s audio player or download them for convenient listening on their MP3 or iPod players.

The Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book provides 435 pages of information, case studies, graphics, market data and opinions based on the experiences of nineteen U.S. Hispanic market experts. Seventeen practitioners and two university academics, contributed fifteen chapters to the book, which benefits the Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association (HMCA), is a volunteer driven nonprofit professional association dedicated to Hispanic marketing excellence. More information is available online at http://www.hispanicmpr.com/

Boca Raton, FL – The Simon & Baker Travel Review, http://www.simonandbaker.com/, and Luxury Travel Review, http://www.luxurytravelreview.com/ , have become Media Sponsor of the 2007 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The Awards, organized by the World Travel & Tourism Council for the third year, promote and reward best practices in Travel & Tourism around the world.Other Media Sponsors include BBC World, National Geographic Adventure, E-Turbo, Travelmole and Newsweek. The Awards are sponsored by several WTTC Members and other organizations, including British Airways, Reed Travel Exhibitions, TAP, Espírito Santo Tourism Group and Opodo, as well as by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Adventure Travel Expo.

“We are delighted to have Simon & Baker Travel Review join our list of prestigious media sponsors for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards this year, extending yet further our coverage and reach to raise awareness about the Awards,” said Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president and CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council. “We look forward to a fruitful partnership with Simon & Baker.”

There are four award categories open to tourism destinations, businesses and organizations: Destination Award for destinations of any size which show a commitment to responsible tourism development; Conservation Award for any tourism organization committed to the protection of natural and cultural heritage; Investor in People Award for any tourism organization which shows a commitment to human resource development and local community involvement; and Global Tourism Business Award for a tourism business of at least 200 employees operating in more than one destination which demonstrates responsible tourism practices.

The Simon & Baker Travel Review/Luxury Travel Review.com publishes first hand impressions, opinions and insights on top quality destinations, accommodations, restaurants, travel products and attractions worldwide including popular ecotourism destinations. The Review publishes articles on Botswana, Nicaragua, Peruvian Amazon, South Africa, Tulum, and Zambia. Other destinations include Paris, France; Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, St. Barths, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

There are also first hand reviews of top gourmet restaurants such as The French Laundry in California, Picasso in Las Vegas, Alain Ducasse in New York, and Le Cinq, Ledoyen, and Le Grand Vefour in Paris. Travel related products include the safari friendly Transporter 90 for men, SassyBax intimate apparel for women, Vonage and Iridium satellite service for pleasure and business travel.

Travelers from near and far read articles on the website. Although the United States and Europe are the most common countries of origin for Review readers, visitors from many other areas such as Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Thailand to name a few, visit frequently. The Review offers a sign-up option for readers to receive complimentary monthly email updates on new and upcoming articles by submitting their email on the website at www.simonandbaker.com/wp

Boca Raton, FL – HispanicMPR.com, an online forum and podcast for the exchange of information and ideas on Hispanic marketing and public relations, released two new downloadable audio recordings, “Latino Family Dynamics” and “Hispanics Projections.” The downloadable recordings feature presentations by Latino market researchers and experts. The recordings are available in downloadable MP3 format, and range in price between $69.95 ($89.95 on CD), and $109.95 ($129.95 on CD). Details on the recording are available online at http://www.hispanicmpr.com/resources/hmpr-products/“search-engine-marketing-to-hispanics”-audio-recording/

Liria has been involved in all facets of qualitative research heading a wide range of projects from initial design, recruitment, execution, moderation and analysis to the final written report. Since joining C&R in 1994, Brenda has specialized in quantitative research, providing custom research solutions for her clients utilizing online and offline methodologies. Roger Selbert, Ph.D. is one of the best-known and most respected trend experts in the United States. He is a principal of The Growth Strategies Group, editor and publisher of Growth Strategies, and a senior fellow at the La Jolla Institute. As a business futurist, his 20-year track record of economic, social and demographic foresight is unequalled.

“Latino Family Dynamics” and “Hispanics Projections” are the latest additions to the HispanicMPR.com Resources Section launched in April 2006. Initial offerings include presentations by experts and leaders in the field. Michele Valdovinos, vice president of research and marketing, Phoenix Cultural Access Group, and co-author of a chapter titled “A Snapshot of the U.S. Hispanic Market” and Elena del Valle, MBA, principal, LNA World Communications, and editor of the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book present “Hispanic Market Overview.” Dora O. Tovar, MPA, president, Tovar Public Relations, and contributing author of the “Hispanic Public Relations and Its Emergence as an Industry” chapter presents “The Next Step: Secondary Latino Markets.”

Federico Subervi, Ph.D., professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos and co-author of the “Latino Media: A Cultural Connection” chapter and del Valle, contributing author of the “Cultural Understanding Key to Effective Media Training” chapter present “Latino Media and Hispanic Media Training.” Joel Bary, CEO and board member of LatinMedios.com, Alex Carvallo, U.S. Hispanic media manager for Consumer Marketing at Intel Americas, and Perel discuss “Marketing to Hispanics Online.” Perel also discusses “Search Engine Marketing to Hispanics” in a separate presentation.

Started as a weblog for the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book (Poyeen Publishing, $49.95), HispanicMPR.com provides a place for readers and authors of the book, subscribers and visitors to connect, discover the latest Hispanic market news and updates and listen to expert interviews and presentations in an audio podcast format. Visitors may sign up for daily email updates, search the website for Hispanic market information; and listen to podcasts on the podcast announcement page, the website’s audio player or download them for convenient listening on their MP3 or iPod players.

The Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book provides 435 pages of information, case studies, graphics, market data and opinions based on the experiences of nineteen U.S. Hispanic market experts. Seventeen practitioners and two university academics, contributed fifteen chapters to the book, which benefits the Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association (HMCA), is a volunteer driven nonprofit professional association dedicated to Hispanic marketing excellence. More information is available online at http://www.hispanicmpr.com/

Boca Raton, FL – HispanicMPR.com, an online forum and podcast for the exchange of information and ideas on Hispanic marketing and public relations, released “Search Engine Marketing to Hispanics,” an audio recording. The downloadable 88-minute recording features a presentation by Matias Perel about search engine marketing targeting the U.S. Hispanic online market. The recordings are available in downloadable MP3 format, for $89.95, and on CD, for $119.95. Details on the recording are available online at http://www.hispanicmpr.com/resources/hmpr-products/“search-engine-marketing-to-hispanics”-audio-recording/

Matias Perel is founder and president of Latin3. Perel is a past board member of the Miami chapter of the International Advertising Association. He is a past member of the Hispanic committee of the Internet Advertising Bureau and a participant in seminars and conferences in his native country of Argentina.

“Search Engine Marketing to Hispanics,” is the latest addition to the HispanicMPR.com Resources Section launched in April 2006. Initial offerings include presentations by experts and leaders in the field. Michele Valdovinos, vice president of research and marketing, Phoenix Cultural Access Group, and co-author of a chapter titled “A Snapshot of the U.S. Hispanic Market” and Elena del Valle, MBA, principal, LNA World Communications, and editor of the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book present “Hispanic Market Overview.” Dora O. Tovar, MPA, president, Tovar Public Relations, and contributing author of the “Hispanic Public Relations and Its Emergence as an Industry” chapter presents “The Next Step: Secondary Latino Markets.”

Federico Subervi, Ph.D., professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos and co-author of the “Latino Media: A Cultural Connection” chapter and del Valle, contributing author of the “Cultural Understanding Key to Effective Media Training” chapter present “Latino Media and Hispanic Media Training.” Joel Bary, CEO and board member of LatinMedios.com, Alex Carvallo, U.S. Hispanic media manager for Consumer Marketing at Intel Americas, and Perel discuss “Marketing to Hispanics Online.”

Started as a weblog for the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book (Poyeen Publishing, $49.95), HispanicMPR.com provides a place for readers and authors of the book, subscribers and visitors to connect, discover the latest Hispanic market news and updates and listen to expert interviews and presentations in an audio podcast format. Visitors may sign up for daily email updates, search the website for Hispanic market information; and listen to podcasts on the podcast announcement page, the website’s audio player or download them for convenient listening on their MP3 or iPod players.

The Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book provides 435 pages of information, case studies, graphics, market data and opinions based on the experiences of nineteen U.S. Hispanic market experts. Seventeen practitioners and two university academics, contributed fifteen chapters to the book, which benefits the Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association (HMCA), is a volunteer driven nonprofit professional association dedicated to Hispanic marketing excellence. More information is available online at http://www.hispanicmpr.com/

Boca Raton, FL – HispanicMPR.com, an online forum and podcast for the exchange of information and ideas on Hispanic marketing and public relations, released “Marketing to Hispanics Online,” an audio recording. The downloadable four-hour recording features a presentation by Joel Bary and interviews with Joel Bary, Alex Carvallo and Matias Perel about the U.S. Hispanic online market. The recordings are available in downloadable MP3 format, $169.95, and on CD, $199.95. Details on the recording are available online at http://www.hispanicmpr.com/resources/hmpr-products/marketing-to-hispanics-online/

Joel Bary is CEO and board member of LatinMedios.com, Alex Carvallo is U.S. Hispanic media manager for Consumer Marketing at Intel Americas and Matias Perel is founder and president of Latinthre3. “Marketing to Hispanics Online” is the latest addition to the HispanicMPR.com Resources Section launched in April 2006. Initial offerings include presentations by experts and leaders in the field. Michele Valdovinos, vice president of research and marketing, Phoenix Cultural Access Group, and co-author of a chapter titled “A Snapshot of the U.S. Hispanic Market” and Elena del Valle, MBA, principal, LNA World Communications, and editor of the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book present “Hispanic Market Overview.”

Dora O. Tovar, MPA, president, Tovar Public Relations, and contributing author of the “Hispanic Public Relations and Its Emergence as an Industry” chapter presents “The Next Step: Secondary Latino Markets.” Federico Subervi, Ph.D., professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos and co-author of the “Latino Media: A Cultural Connection” chapter and del Valle, contributing author of the “Cultural Understanding Key to Effective Media Training” chapter present “Latino Media and Hispanic Media Training.”

Started as a weblog for the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book (Poyeen Publishing, $49.95), HispanicMPR.com provides a place for readers and authors of the book, subscribers and visitors to connect, discover the latest Hispanic market news and updates and listen to expert interviews and presentations in an audio podcast format.

Visitors may sign up for daily email updates, search the website for Hispanic market information; and listen to podcasts on the podcast announcement page, the website’s audio player or download them for convenient listening on their MP3 or iPod players.
The Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book provides 435 pages of information, case studies, graphics, market data and opinions based on the experiences of nineteen U.S. Hispanic market experts. Seventeen practitioners and two university academics, contributed fifteen chapters to the book, which benefits the Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association (HMCA), is a volunteer driven nonprofit professional association dedicated to Hispanic marketing excellence. More information is available online at www.HispanicMPR.com

Long Beach, CA and Boca Raton, FL June 13, 2006 — An instrumental version of Diana Mera’s song “Bésame” from the “Dianamera” album will be the new theme music for HispanicMPR.com audio recordings starting this month. HispanicMPR.com, the first website and podcast on Hispanic marketing and public relations, serves as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.

The first HispanicMPR.com podcast featuring the new theme music is an interview with Martin Castro, president and CEO, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations serving Hispanics, which aired Monday, June 12th.

“SGM Records is delighted to work with HispanicMPR.com to have Diana’s music featured in their podcasts and presentations reaching thousands of marketing experts, advertising executives, and communicators targeting Latinos across the country,” said Soledad Herrada, production director and chief executive officer, SGM Records.

Diana Mera, the singer and song writer of the song, wrote “Bésame” during the summer of 2002 in Phoenix, Arizona, where she found inspiration to write the songs of her first album. Bésame’s music video has aired on MTV/VHUNO, Televisa, Ritmoson Latino, and Univision.

“Bésame means a lot to me and it feels amazing that it is taking me to do and be part of great projects like being the theme song of the Podcast of HispanicMpr.com,” said Diana Mera.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with SGM Records and incorporate the upbeat and distinctive music from Bésame, Diana Mera’s beautiful song, into the HispanicMPR.com recording series including our podcasts and presentations,” said Elena del Valle, MBA, editor of HispanicMPR.com. “Diana’s young and enthusiastic music is a perfect fit for our new online medium and downloadable files.”

The HispanicMPR.com podcast and Resources Section presentations provide listeners essential first hand information from leading Hispanic market experts on how to reach America’s largest minority with marketing and public relations tools.

SGM Records, a record label and production company, conducts digital video production specializing in music videos, TV commercials and public service announcements. It manages and promotes Mera’s career. SGM Records is a young enterprise owned and operated by Hispanic women. For more information online, visit http://www.dianamera.com/ and http://www.hispanicmpr.com/

Boca Raton, Florida – Would you like to find free accommodations when you travel using a time tested concept proven effective by half a million people every year? The Home Exchange Guide: How to Find Your Free Home Away From Home (Poyeen Publishing), now available in a downloadable format, is the first how-to guide to home swapping with an online focus. It has been featured in domestic and international media including USA Today, Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, Midwest Book Review, Newsweek (Japan), and Vancouver Sun.

The Home Exchange Guide

The book guides readers through the home exchange process to find out: If they are good exchange candidates; how and where to look for exchangers; what to look for in a home; questions to ask; pitfalls to avoid; how to prepare their home for an exchange; what to expect and do during the exchange; and wrapping up loose ends when the exchange is over. The new downloadable version of the 187-page The Home Exchange Guide: How to Find Your Free Home Away From Home retails for $19.95 and is available directly from the publisher for $14.95 at Poyeen Publishing.

American home exchangers M.T. Simon and T.T. Baker help travelers find free home accommodations in the United States and abroad by guiding them through the home exchange process. First time and repeat home exchangers can benefit from The Home Exchange Guide: How to Find Your Free Home Away From Home (Poyeen Publishing), which provides an easy-to-follow process anyone with a home can use. Home exchanging, a common practice in the U.S. and abroad for more than 50 years, allows travelers to swap homes with their counterparts in other locations during their vacation or business trip. Every year, an estimated 250,000 home exchanges take place. For information online about home exchanging, visit FreeHomeAwayfromHome.com

Started as a weblog for the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book (Poyeen Publishing, $49.95), the podcast’s host website provides a place for readers and authors of the book, subscribers and visitors to connect, discover the latest Hispanic market news and updates and listen to expert interviews and presentations in an audio format. Visitors may listen to the podcasts on the website audio player which appear under the heading “Podcast” or download them for convenient listening on their MP3 or iPod players.

To listen to a podcast, go to the Podcast Section (box with blue background on the right of the page) on www.HispanicMPR.com . Select the title by placing your cursor on it then click on the play button. To download the podcasts to your MP3 player or iTunes folder, right click on the RSS box above the Podcast box and select “copy shortcut.” Insert the shortcut into the download podcast URL box in the “advanced” file on your iTunes folder.

The Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book provides 435 pages of information, case studies, graphics, market data and opinions based on the experiences of nineteen U.S. Hispanic market experts. Seventeen practitioners and two university academics, contributed fifteen chapters to the book, which benefits the Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association (HMCA), is a volunteer driven nonprofit professional association dedicated to Hispanic marketing excellence.

Miami, FL – The Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association, HMCA, and the Multicultural Section of the Public Relations Society of America, PRSA, announced a teleconference based on a chapter of a new book, Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations Understanding and Targeting America’s Largest Minority (Poyeen Publishing, $49.95) to be held Thursday, January 26, 2006 at 2 p.m. The first title published on reaching Latinos with marketing and public relations strategies, Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations is appropriate for marketing professionals and students.

The teleconference entitled "Hispanic Public Relations: Responding to Growing Market Demands" is based on chapter 10 in the book and will be presented the author of that chapter, Dora O. Tovar, president, Tovar PR LLC. Attendees at the virtual seminar will call a toll-free number where they will hear the presenters and access visual materials online. Admission is $85 for PRSA Multicultural Communications Section members, $150 for PRSA and HMCA members and $250 per site for nonmembers. Registration is available at www.prsa.org .

Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations provides 435 pages of information, case studies, graphics, market data and opinions based on the experiences of nineteen U.S. Hispanic market experts and benefits HMCA. Information on the book, including a list of authors and newsletter sign up instructions, is available at www.hispanicmpr.com .

Seventeen practitioners and two university academics, contributed fifteen chapters to the book. Cover design was by Cris Ascunce of CAT Grafix, Inc. Topics include a U.S. Hispanic market outline, acculturation issues, reaching Hispanics online, reaching Hispanics in-language, demographic projections, perceptions, public relations, Hispanic media, electronic publicity and media training, special events and qualitative and quantitative research considerations. Authors include a veritable who’s who of U.S. Hispanic marketing. Research guru Carlos Santiago, president of the California based Santiago Solutions Group, wrote the foreword.

The Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association (HMCA) is a volunteer driven nonprofit professional association dedicated to Hispanic marketing excellence. Hispanic market information, complimentary copies of the HMCA e-newsletter and invites to HMCA events, are available on the Association’s website www.hmca.org The Public Relations Society of America based in New York City, is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals. The Society has more than 28,000 professional and student members.